What are Refurbished Computer Products:

​When it comes to computer related products, the term refurbished is used to describe a product that was returned to the manufacturer and then carefully diagnosed and inspected by certified technicians for defects or malfunctions.

​After inspection, the manufacturer makes any repairs or modifications necessary to restore the product back to its original, brand new condition.

The product is then tested, certified and repackaged for resale at a discounted price. Some manufacturers may use a third party, certified partner to refurbish the product as well.

The product is then warranted by either the original manufacturer or the certified partner and then resold as refurbished to the reseller or the consumer.

​Consumers are always looking for deals, bargains and clearance sales. And for consumers, buying refurbished products has become another way to save money as well.​

And many times, a refurbished product can be a better buy than buying the product new since the refurbished product has been restored to its new and original condition and has been carefully tested and certified as well.​

​What classifies computer products as refurbished products?

Customer return:Sometimes, a customer may return the product to the retailer for any reason. And most of the time, there's nothing wrong with the product.

In such a case the retailer will reduce the price and resell it as an "open box" special with the original manufacturer warranty. However, if the customer returned the product due to being defective then the retailer will return the product to the distributor or manufacture where it will be inspected, repaired, and restored back to its new and original condition.

The product will then be repackaged and resold as a certified, manufacturer refurbished product. ​

Products damaged during shipping:There are also times when product packages are damaged during the shipping process. And in most cases the product within the packaging box remains in perfect condition.

The reseller then has the option of keeping the package or returning it back to the distributor or the manufacturer, whichever the source may be.

The manufacturer will then inspect and repackage the product for resale. However, since the product was returned, it can no longer be sold as new. Therefore, the product will be labeled as refurbished and sold as a refurbished product even though no repairs were needed.​

Cosmetic damage:There are also times when products get damaged with scratches or dents yet without affecting the performance and functionality of the product.

The manufacturer can then resell it at a discounted price with the visible cosmetic damage or repair the damage by replacing the casing of the product.

In both cases, the product qualifies for being sold as refurbished since the product itself has been re-inspected and approved for performance, functionality and resale.

Store demos (for demonstration):Most retail storefronts sell their old demo units after the last of those products have been sold and/or a newer version of the product has arrived. However, some manufactures will collect those products to be inspected and restored to their new and original condition. Those products are then repackaged and resold as manufacturer refurbished products.

Opened box items:In a retail store environment, there are times when a customer may simply want to open the box just to see the contents inside. In such a case, there are no issues with the products or the contents of the box. However, since the box was opened it was then either repackaged at the store or sent back to the manufacturer for inspection. After approval, the product is repackaged and resold as refurbished even though no refurbishing has occurred.

Overstock items:Overstock items can also be repackaged and resold as refurbished as well. For example, if a new model or a new version of that product hits the market then the manufacturer may collect the remaining stock of the older models to be re-inspected and resold as a refurbished product.​

​Buying and selling refurbished products:

​When buying and selling refurbished products it is impossible for the buyer, and most times even the reseller to know the reason(s) why the product was returned and refurbished in the first place. Only the manufacturer knows the reason(s) and issue(s) behind the inspection and refurbishing of the product.

However, you can be sure that when buying and selling certified, manufacturer refurbished products that the products have been fully inspected and restored to their new and original condition, backed by the manufacturer warranty, and can now be bought and sold with confidence.​